Regeneration

The idea of regeneration runs throughout the entire book. In the physical sense, the concept of regeneration is one of physical regrowth and healing. The experiments on nerve regeneration by Dr. Rivers and his friend from Cambridge, Henry Head, and the struggle to get Burns to eat and rebuild his emaciated body both serve as examples of physical regrowth in this book. Through these examples, the reader can see Dr. Rivers' dedication to healing.

There is also the emotional and mental healing of the patients in Craiglockhart. Each of the patients there suffers from some sort of war neurosis, shell-shock, or some other illness brought on by the horror of battle. Over the course of the book, the reader can see the healing of several of the patients.

Another side of regeneration is that of personal change. In this sense, Dr. Rivers undergoes a form of regeneration. Through...